Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Frasier
Richard, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up on a dairy farm in upstate NY. I had an uncle give me a camera when I was a kid (approx 12) which I thought was magical. I took photos as much as I could, but was limited by the costs of film and processing.
This hobby continued and was encouraged by family and friends when they saw some of the results.
I entered the military service, ended up stationed in Europe and now had extra cash AND more exotic photo opportunities .. so my image making surged. When I was sent to Vietnam the subject matter changed dramatically and the images consequently much more dramatic too. The camera also gave me a bit of a buffer from the drama I was exposed to. (I was a crew member of a support helicopter).
Cameras, film and processing were very inexpensive in Asia at the PX. – combined with the subject matter – this environment rich in making images with impact spurred my hobby to an obsession.
When I returned home from my military obligations the dairy farm had been sold and I needed a career. I moved to Washington DC with a high school friend to try the hospitality industry. When this didn’t work out and needing an income I was encouraged by a female acquaintance who had seen some of my photography to apply at a small photography studio where she worked.
I got the job and quickly became the top producer of the 7 photographers working at the studio that specialized in family portraits. … I LOVED it!
Making money from making images was a dream come true!
A couple years later I was introduced to a commercial photographer named Ira by a friend at a party. I was told Ira had been the personal photographer for the musical group Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young – which immediately got my attention. At this party I took a photo of Ira’s son sitting on dads lap feeding dad a wedge of apple and sent Ira the photo saying “I want to work for you”. This started a 6 year stint working as an assistant to Ira and 7 of the top working commercial photographers in the DC area and a couple from NYC and Chicago.
In 1984 I set out on my own to pursue my quest to compete in the commercial photography world. I worked my way up through local magazines, business associations, and small advertising agencies and ended up with a recognized reputation as an excellent versatile commercial photographer with a speciality in executive portraiture. This niche served me well in Washington where there is a large demand for this specialty.
My clients included fortune five hundred companies, very large law firms, a very well known semi annual sporting event (steeplechase), political campaigns, national magazines, and a number of trips inside the White House to cover functions and award presentations.
I have photographed 6 presidents, a British Prime Minister, the president of Afghanistan, and well known movie/tv/sports figures… all the while documenting landscapes in my travels and a personal assignment – my view of the most beautiful city in the world …. Washington, DC.
In 2018 I sold my client list and we moved to the beach in North Florida where, after building a house and settling in, I launched my current business of selling wall art.
With the library of images that I had compiled on travel assignments over the years, the images of Washington, DC, the large equestrian file, landscapes, animal life, and general pretty pictures in my library I had a well rounded assortment of marketable photography which encouraged me to launch my art storefront in 2021 where I sell art online.
In early 2024 we moved to the beautiful “upstate” of South Carolina where we are now based in Greenville.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been very fortunate in my journey. It takes massive desire, serious persistence, much support, good timing, and some luck & talent to just survive in the creative business – I was lucky!
The biggest obstacle in surviving in the creative world is you can’t get good work without good samples … and you can’t get good samples without good work.
I gave myself assignments in areas I wanted to persue and built a portfolio and worked for (assisted) top commercial working photographers … this was the very best training anyone could ask for .. and got paid to do it.
Being exposed to different styles on luxury high end assignments was a true blessing from which I learned trade tricks and I formed my style.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I worked as a commercial photographer for almost 30 years doing assignments for editorial, advertising, and corporate clients nationally and internationally and ended up being recognized as an executive portrait specialist.
I loved travel and exploring and especially enjoyed bringing people to the camera … breaking down the anxiety and fears of being in front of the camera and capturing the real personality of my subjects … in the best “light”.
Three and a half years ago I bought a platform that enables me to display and market my images on line and allows customers to purchase prints in different sizes on different mediums, framed or not and have them shipped direct from a custom lab to wherever they choose.
Today I travel extensively to places I find beautiful – to capture these places in the most flattering light and offer the experience to those who have not had the opportunity to visit or to those who have had the experience and want to preserve a memory.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I am all over the place absorbing inspiration … almost anything travel, nature, and visual.
The work of National Geographic has inspired for years and years and I follow many creatives on line.
Pricing:
- Wall art from $20 – $3000+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frasierphoto.com/
- Instagram: Frasierr
- Facebook: Richard Frasier & Frasier Photography
Image Credits
All images created by me … Richard Frasier
